Mitch Glazier Takes Over as Chairman and CEO of RIAA

Mitch Glazier, president of the Recording Industry Association of America, speaks during a hearing on "Protecting and Promoting Music Creation for the 21st Century" before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill May 15, 2018 in Washington, DC.

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

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The new year brings “new leadership for a new era” at the Recording Industry Association of America as Mitch Glazier formally becomes chairman and CEO of the influential trade group. Announced back in April, Glazier succeeds Cary Sherman, who has retired after a decades-long tenure at the RIAA.

"[Music] makes us who we are and binds diverse communities together," said Glazier. "I am honored to lead the RIAA during these exciting times as we fight for a music ecosystem that works for everybody -- from artists and fans to labels and publishers and songwriters and music services alike. That will require that we both embrace digital music innovations, and protect what has always made music great -- keeping the dream alive for the next generation of artists and music creators."

That dream of a sustainable music industry for artists, songwriters and other stakeholders weighed heavy on the RIAA this year during its successful push to pass and enact the Music Modernization Act.

The RIAA also announced the promotion of Michele Ballantyne to chief operation officer. In her new role, Ballantyne will manage the day-to-day operations of the RIAA. Before joining the organization, she held several critical roles in the upper-most levels of government, including as Special Assistant to President Bill Clinton, Special Counsel to then-White House Chief of Staff John Podesta, and as General Counsel for Senator Tom Daschle.

"I’m excited to be part of this new leadership team at such an incredibly dynamic and important time," said Ballantyne. "By staying true to music and its creators even as we embrace change, we can help the men and women of the music industry achieve great things. I look forward to advocating on behalf of our great community."